From power grids and water systems to transport networks and healthcare facilities, critical infrastructure has become a key target for cyber attacks in recent years, such as US utilities suffering a 70% year-on-year increase in cyber attacks this year.
The reason for targeting critical infrastructure is clear: they often use outdated software and the attacks have an outsized disruptive impact. But successfully protecting critical infrastructure is less obvious, so as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s focus on 'building resilience in critical systems', we’re going to explain how Zero Trust protection and secure supply chain collaboration can keep our critical infrastructure secure.
October 29, 2024
From power grids and water systems to transport networks and healthcare facilities, critical infrastructure has become a key target for cyber attacks in recent years, such as US utilities suffering a 70% year-on-year increase in cyber attacks this year.
The reason for targeting critical infrastructure is clear: they often use outdated software and the attacks have an outsized disruptive impact. But successfully protecting critical infrastructure is less obvious, so as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month’s focus on 'building resilience in critical systems', we’re going to explain how Zero Trust protection and secure supply chain collaboration can keep our critical infrastructure secure.
Small and large critical infrastructure enterprises are under threat
In 2021, Colonial Pipeline suffered the largest cyber attack on oil infrastructure in US history, shutting down its entire network. In 2022, a Russian hack of Ukraine’s power grid caused partial blackouts. In 2023, 22 Danish energy companies were compromised in the largest coordinated cyber attack on Denmark’s critical infrastructure to date.
Be it foreign adversaries or non-state actors, critical infrastructure in the US and Europe are firmly in cyber attackers’ crosshairs, but it’s not just nationwide energy networks, state water systems or national defense projects that are under threat. In June 2024, for example, an Economist article found that China was actively targeting small and medium sized businesses working in the US critical infrastructure network - even when the value of the cyber intrusion was unclear.
With digital transformation opening up even the most remote facilities and factories to potential devastating cyber attacks, all businesses working in the critical infrastructure supply chain need to focus on building resilience. Here are two effective ways to protect yourselves without slowing down your workflows.
1. Implement Zero Trust protection for your most sensitive data
As noted by the Economist, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure are increasingly varied in both methods and targets. It’s no longer practical to simply build a digital firewall outside your organization - you need in-built protection for your most sensitive digital files too.
Zero Trust ensures your most sensitive data is protected at rest, in transit and when shared externally with supply chain partners. It prevents hackers from accessing business-critical information - even if files are stolen - and limits attackers from moving across networks, devices or supply chains if they break in.
As Zero Trust protection is not just one product, you need to phase in the approach, starting with your most sensitive data. For instance, if you work in defense, national security or aerospace engineering, your CAD files are particularly vulnerable unless they have Zero Trust protection.
How to Implement Zero Trust Security for CAD Files- Ebook
2. Secure collaboration with supply chain partners
According to Deloitte, 69% of CPOs consider supply chain resilience a top organizational priority - for good reason. While cyber attacks have increased 30% year-on-year, supply chain attacks have risen 2,600% since 2018. As supply chains move from the physical world to the digital realm, so have their vulnerabilities and today’s SMEs working in critical infrastructure must secure their collaboration with third-party partners to prevent a widespread breach.
But what does secure collaboration look like? When multiple partners need access to a blueprint, engineering drawing or project file, the chance of accidental data leakage or targeted attacks increases. Yet, by attaching authorization labels to shared files or folders - that can be enforced, adjusted or revoked for the lifetime of the file - you can ensure only designated personnel download, access or edit sensitive data, no matter if these files are accidentally lost by fourth-party sub-contractors or shared with bad actors.
How Secude builds resilience in critical infrastructure
“Implementing Zero Trust protection and securing the supply chain are key strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure. By ensuring that access is continuously verified and that every part of the supply chain is secure, we can effectively reduce vulnerabilities and maintain operational resilience.” Mario Galatovic, CEO, Secude
From aerospace contractors to global IT consultancies, Secude helps a wide range of Us and European organizations working in critical infrastructure protect their most critical data and secure their digital supply chains.
In particular, Secude’s suite of security products extends Microsoft Purview Information Protection (MPIP) to CAD files and shared project folders, ensuring your sensitive data - and the national interest - is protected.
Critical infrastructure is vital to the functioning of our society. Together, we can build resilience in critical infrastructure and avoid disruptions.
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